Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17^th June, 2009 be approved as a correct record.

Resolved:- That the contents of the minutes of the meeting of the Children’s Board held on 10th June, 2009 be noted.

Pursuant to Minute No. C50 of January 2000, consideration was given to nominations received to fill Local Authority vacancies on school governing bodies.

Resolved:-  That, with the effective date of appointment, the following appointments be made to school governing bodies, subject to satisfactory checks being undertaken:-

New Appointments

AnstonGreenlands Junior and Infant      Mrs. B. Ireland                  01.07.09

Badsley Moor Infant                                 Ms. L. Sylvester                01.07.09

Maltby Hall Infant                                      Mr. G. Walsh                    01.07.09

Swinton Brookfield Primary                      Mr. R. G. Smith                 01.07.09

Wales Primary                                          Ms. L. Hibert                     01.07.09

Woodsetts Primary                                  Councillor J. Havenhand   01.07.09

St. Joseph’s Catholic R.C. Primary           Mrs. J. Hutchinson           01.07.09

Re-appointments

Bramley Sunnyside Infant                         Mr. D. Tomlinson              11.10.09

BramtonCortonwood                               Councillor F. Hodgkiss      Deferred

BrinsworthWhitehill Primary                   Mr. A. Buckley                   11.10.09

Dinnington Community                             Mrs. V. St. John                01.09.09

Greasbrough Primary                               Mr. S. Collett                     28.06.09

Herringthorpe Infant                                 Mr. G. Allan                       30.10.09

Herringthorpe Junior                                Rev. J Trickett,                  30.10.09

Kilnhurst Primary                                      Mrs. P. B. Brain                11.10.09

Monkwood Community                             Mrs. A. Young                   11.10.09

Sitwell Infant                                              Mr. I. Barker                      11.10.09

Swinton Queen Primary                            Mrs. E. M. Wesley            30.10.09

Aston All Saints CE Junior and Infant      Mrs. D. Bennett                30.10.09

St. Joseph’s Catholic (Dinnington)            Mr. B. Cottam                   07.10.09

Aston Comprehensive                              Mr. J. Sharman                 28.06.09

Wingfield Comprehensive                        Mrs. S. Sockett                 11.10.09

Report Author - Ruth Bastin, Policy and Planning Team Manager

Consideration was given to a report presented by Ruth Bastin, Policy and Planning Team Manager, which provided details of the Lifestyle Survey, which was an annual survey, undertaken with both Primary and Secondary school pupils.  The questions covered a range of issues, such as health, how pupils felt about school, how safe they felt, how pupils felt about the area in which they lived, bullying and how often they may smoke, drink or take drugs.

The Lifestyle Survey 2008 was open to all Rotherham’s primary schools and designed online by RBT.  A project group consisting of representatives from Children and Young People’s Services, NHS Rotherham and Healthy Schools organised the design and implementation of the survey. 

The primary survey period commenced on the 20th October, 2008 and concluded on 19th December, 2008.

748 Year 5 pupils took part in the survey in 2008. 53% were female pupils and 47% male.

The majority of pupils who did take part considered themselves to be from a White British ethnic group (73%), followed by 8% from an Asian or Asian British background.

Individual school reports and summaries were accessible to each school.  The borough wide report and the relevant data tables were available on the intranet.  A summary version of the report was also available on the Council website. 

Discussion ensued on the results of the survey and clarification provided on the analysis shown in graphical form as set out in the report, particularly relating to:-

·              Whether the results were shared with parents of the pupils who had taken part.

·              Whether the Play Pathfinder would have an impact on future survey results.

·              The number of schools that had participated and whether this was deemed value for money.

·              The lack of opportunity for each child to have a voice and influence on the survey and credibility of the sample.

·              Timescales for survey input.

·              Trend analysis and feedback reports to schools.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and those officers involved with the analysis be thanked for their input.

(2)  That participating schools be sent a letter of thanks by the Cabinet Member for their input into the survey.

Report Author - Ruth Bastin, Policy and Planning Team Manager

Consideration was given to a report presented by Ruth Bastin, Policy and Planning Team Manager, which summarised progress against the commitments within the Children and Young People’s Plan 2007-2010.

The report also set out in detail the current progress, supporting data and the status of each of the commitments within the Children and Young People’s Plan as at the end of March, 2009. It was clear that good progress was being made against most commitments. Additionally, some commitments have been completed such as establishing an integrated SEN and Disability Team and updating the sexual exploitation action plan.  However, some commitments remained priorities for action, such as reducing the rate of teenage conceptions, attainment at Key Stage 2 and the development of Communication, Language and Literacy (0-19).

For the first time, attempts had been made to agree the status of individual commitments using Red, Green and Amber to describe progress. This had not been appropriate for all commitments, as a number did not have a set target, but were being monitored on an “ongoing” basis. Additionally, where commitments were deemed to be completed, it was proposed that they would not appear on future updates.

A summary of the status of the Children and Young People’s Service commitments was provided and questions raised and answered relating to:-

·              Underselling of the progress made when a commitment remained ongoing.

·              Arrangements for relevant performance clinics.

·              National drivers for NHS Rotherham.

·              Need for most up-to-date information to be included.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and the progress noted.

Report Author - Anthony Evans, ESF NEETs Response Fund Manager

Consideration was given to a report presented by Anthony Evans, ESF NEETs Response Fund Manager, which provided a quarterly update in the delivery of the ESF 16-19 NEETs Response Fund.  The report set out key issues that had emerged since the previous progress report, an update on commissioning activity, performance management of contracts and development work to support management and delivery of the Response Fund.

The report referred to the key issues that had emerged since progress on the European Structural Funds (ESF) 16-19 NEETs Response Fund last reported in February, 2009.

Reference was also made to the Commissioned Activity and Contract Performance and Development Work and Next Steps to Support Implementation of the Programme.

Questions were raised as to whether the funding per person demonstrated value for money based on the 1% reduction of NEETs.

It was noted, however, that the programme was on track to meet its targets and outputs of 500 young people NEET receiving enhanced, targeted and bespoke support and provision to enable 65% to progress into mainstream education, employment, or training by March, 2010.  As of 31st May, 2009, 181 young people engaged and 60 have progressed to mainstream EET. Provision had been commissioned to support up to 407 young people with a further commissioning round targeting young people with learning difficulties and disabilities planned for July, 2009.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) had also agreed, in principle, to the Council’s proposal to access residual £500K of the16-19 ESF NEETs Response Fund, which would take delivery activity to March, 2011. This would be managed through the established 16-19 ESF Commissioning Strategy and Framework. Commissioning activity would focus provision aimed at Pre-Entry to Employment (E2E), access to level 2, vulnerable young people and other projects agreed by the Widening Participation Strategy Group as an identified need. 

Whilst the thirteen projects that had been commissioned were expected to deliver provision for a minimum of 407 young people, questions were raised about the employment opportunities that would be made available.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That further progress reports be submitted to the Cabinet Member on a six-monthly basis.

(3)  That further information be provided to the Cabinet Member with regards to the Phoenix GOALs Project and its work placement programme.

(Councillor S. Wright declared a personal interest in this item on the basis that he was on the Board of Directors at Groundwork Dearne Valley)

Consideration was given to a request for attendances at the following conferences:-

LGA Conference – Children’s Social Services in the Spotlight – Where to Next? – Thursday, 24^th September, 2009 – Local Government House, London.

Rising to the Challenge – Brighter Futures for All – National Children and Adult Services Conference -  21^st to 23^rd October, 2009 – Harrogate International Centre.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Councillor Burton be approved to attend the LGA Conference in London.

(2)  That Councillor G. A. Russell be approved to attend the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Harrogate.